Measurement "courtesy"

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by sloth

On the flip side of this arguement...had a situation Friday night where it was 2nd or 3rd and almost 6 yards to go. B encroaches. The U walks off five yards, but must have taken some big step (very poorly lined field). When he spots that ball, it was past the chains. We all knew that it was short but as the LJ I had to try and deal with a coach that was looking over my shoulder at a ball that was clearly a foot or so beyond the chains line to gain.

REPLY: sloth...don't you use a piece of tape or a wire-tie to mark the half-way point of the chain so that you can tell immediately whether or not a five-yard penalty will result in a first down? I'd never want ot be in the position of having to walk then determine if a new series is warranted. I always want to make that determination prior to walking off the yardage.